Is the Dark Universe Frankenstein ride hall of fame-bound?

How do you feel about Universal Epic Universe, the new theme park opening this year in Orlando? When I first heard about it a couple of years ago, I was pretty “meh” about it. But then last year I learned that one of their worlds was called Dark Universe, where Universal’s classic horror movie monsters come to life.

{INSERT SCREECHING BRAKE SOUNDS HERE}

Say what? Did I hear that right? Instead of just creating a ride to rival The Haunted Mansion, Universal was going to lean even more into their Halloween Horror Nights vibe?

Except, instead of being a seasonal thing, it would be a year-round one? And it would be a whole section of its own, like how Disney does with Star Wars: Galaxy Edge, or Universal Orlando has its Harry Potter Wizarding Worlds? (Hogsmeade at Islands of Adventure and Diagon Alley at Universal Studios Florida. Epic Universe will also have one too, the Ministry of Magic.)

Yeah. Ever since I learned that, I’ve been anxiously waiting to hear and/or see more specifics. Well, the wait is over.

Now that Epic Universe’s grand opening is imminent (May 22), the hype has begun in earnest. Some lucky ducks have enjoyed sneak peeks, such as The New York Times. They recently shared highlights from their visit, and they didn’t leave out Dark Universe.

Let’s start with a ride they declared “is destined for the theme park hall of fame. It’s that good.” But I also want to explore some other comments they made about what to find in this particular Epic Universe world.

Monsters Unchained: The Frankenstein Experiment in the Dark Universe

According to Universal Orlando, Monsters Unchained: The Frankenstein Experiment, Dark Universe’s marquee attraction, is the most terrifying yet. They explain that the “state-of-the-art dark ride transports guests deep into the catacombs of Frankenstein Manor, where Dr. Victoria Frankenstein conducts her twisted experiments.”

The description continues:

In a vain display of her genius, she invites guests into her laboratory to witness a demonstration of her ability to control monsters – but her plans go awry when her attempts to control the most dangerous of monsters, Dracula, fails, unleashing a horde of enraged monsters. Guests are then thrust into an intense ride through the darkness as they try to evade the grasps of The Wolf Man, The Mummy, The Creature from the Black Lagoon, the Brides of Dracula and others.

But what they leave out is something The New York Times included in their review of the ride. It includes flying draculas. “(Yes, plural.)”

A nine-foot-tall walking Frankenstein, flying draculas, plus all the other classic horror movie monsters? It sounds almost like that part in Stephen King’s novel It where Pennywise manifests as several of the classic movie monsters before his kills…or attempted murders, as in Ben Hanscom’s case. And it sounds fabulous. I hope I get the chance to see it for myself one day. What about you?

Black Toilets and a Vampire Hunters Bar

If you’ve ever wanted to become a classic horror movie monster, hang out with them, or dine amongst them and fellow horror movie-loving enthusiasts, Dark Universe will be the place to do that. To get there, walk through the “It’s Alive! It’s Alive!” portal.

After you’ve worked up an appetite on the Frankenstein ride, you can nosh at Das Stakehaus, “a dining hall run by vampire ‘familiars’ who size up unsuspecting patrons to be part of the vampires’ feast.” Meal choices include:

• A blood Orange Chicken sandwich served on a “sinister black bun.” (Perhaps pumpernickel?)
• A variety of “stake” meals —either fish, chicken or wild mushroom brisket meatloaf served on a stake.
• Our Favorite Vegan Familiar’s Stuffed Cabbage, which features ” impossible meat wrapped in tender cabbage leaves nestled in a rich bell pepper tomato sauce and accompanied by a vibrant beet bucatini.”

You can also fuel up in The Burning Blades Tavern, where you’ll find standard bar food options like burgers, brats, wings, pretzels, and specialty drinks. The graphic above is the artist’s rendering, but The New York Times article included a photo of the real-life blazing blades atop the rickety-looking wooden windmill (major Sleepy Hollow vibes, right?) and wow. Just wow.

The NYT also said they spotted characters walking around during their visit, including the Invisible Man and Ygor, “who carrie(d) a suitcase filled with bloody limbs.”

If you want to become a character yourself, there’s an onsite beauty parlor for that. Just find the Darkmoor Monster Makeup Experience, where “skilled artisans use their talents with face makeup” to transform you into a classic movie monster. How cool is that?

However, the Potty Inspector in me was most intrigued by the NYT’s mention of “black toilets in the monster area.” They explained that each world’s decor has been tailored to its theme, and this is what made an impression on them in the Dark Universe. Yeah. If I go, I will make a pit stop there whether I have to go or not.

For More Info

Visit https://www.universalorlando.com/web/en/us.

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